Power, pitching lead Twins to 10-5 win

Jun 10, 2009 - 6:28 AM
OAKLAND, Calif.(AP) -- Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire was a
little anxious as Oakland piled up five runs in the ninth
inning, forcing him to use closer Joe Nathan in what looked like
a lopsided victory.

He sure enjoyed the offensive display, though, and was able to
enjoy the game after all.

Jason Kubel and Justin Morneau each hit a home run, Scott Baker
took a shutout in the ninth, and the Twins ended a three-game
losing streak with a 10-5 victory over the Athletics on Tuesday
night.

"A win is a win is a win," Gardenhire said. "Baker threw the
ball very, very well. He just kind of ran out of gas there in
the ninth. The first at-bat he had a heck of a battle then he
couldn't finish it and then it got a little crazy there."

Baker (4-6) faced one batter over the minimum through eight
innings and then allowed the first three hitters of the ninth to
reach base, touching off an A's rally that featured five runs on
three hits, four walks and an error.

"We walked too many people and missed at least two plays at
second base," Gardenhire said. "You have to get outs there.
We're trying to do a little too, and we end up with our closer
in the game."

Former first overall draft pick Delmon Young drove in three runs
for the Twins, who scored more runs than in their previous four
games combined. Carlos Gomez added two RBIs and Brendan Harris
had three hits.

"A great night for our offense, beating the ball around,"
Gardenhire said. "We scored some runs, and then made it
entertaining at the end. What more do you want? Everybody got
their money's worth."

Baker remained undefeated against the A's in four starts after
allowing three runs on four hits. He struck out eight and walked
one as he pitched at least seven shutout innings for the sixth
time in his career. He was within three outs of his second
career shutout, but the Twins needed Nathan to strike out a pair
of batters with the bases loaded to record his 12th save in 14
chances to hang on.

"Basically what it comes down to is what I'm doing differently
than in previous starts and that's pitching better out of the
stretch," Baker said. "I'm keeping damage to a minimum.
Everything was working really well and then I got to that ninth
inning and got a little dicey there."

Brett Anderson (3-6) allowed five runs on a season-high 10 hits
over 5 2-3 innings as the A's had their seven-game winning
streak stopped. He walked one and struck out five.

"I was one pitch away from a good start but I couldn't get out
of the sixth," Anderson said. "I was up in the zone quite a bit
and it was only a matter of time before they took advantage."

Adam Kennedy, who had two hits and drove in two runs, singled in
the first and Rajai Davis doubled and stole third in the third
for the A's. After Kennedy was hit by a pitch leading off the
fourth, Baker retired the next 14 hitters before Jack Hannahan
led off the ninth with a single.

The Twins scored eight runs combined through their first four
games on the road trip. This time every Twins starter either
recorded a hit or scored a run.

Young singled home a run in the second as the Twins grabbed the
early lead. Anderson retired 11 of the next 12 batters before
Morneau led off the sixth with his 16th home run. He later added
an RBI single. Young and Gomez each added two-out doubles to
make it 5-0.

"The game took a severe turn when Brett got in some trouble and
the bullpen couldn't hold them," A's manager Bob Geren said. "A
loss is a loss and still hurts but making Joe Nathan get a save
means it was a good ending to a loss."

Notes: Chris Denorfia was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento
and the A's optioned IF Gregorio Petit to Sacramento. ... Twins
OF Denard Span left the game after the top of the third inning
with dizziness. ... A's 3B coach Mike Gallego missed the game to
attend his daughter's graduation. A's Director of Minor League
Operations Keith Lieppeman filled in on the baselines. ...
Morneau's sixth-inning home run ended a four-game drought for
the Twins. ... Crede left the game in the eighth with a bruised
left forearm.

ALAT OAKLAND - SCORING UPDATETHREE-RUN HOME RUN BY JASON KUBEL (8) TO RIGHT WITH 0 OUT IN THE 7TH OFF SANTIAGO CASILLA SCORED JOE MAUER AND JUSTIN MORNEAU.CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 8, OAKLAND 0DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J CREDE (.232, 0-FOR-3)